Bengal Govt employees threaten statewide protests if dues not paid by June 27 after SC order

The West Bengal state government is currently facing escalating pressure from its employees regarding the long-pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dispute. A significant development has emerged with state government employees setting a firm deadline of June 27 for the disbursement of their outstanding DA. This ultimatum directly follows a clear directive from the Supreme Court on May 16, which mandated the state government to pay 25% of the employees' outstanding DA within a six-week period. As of today, no official statement or public guideline regarding the payment process has been issued by the state government, despite the approaching deadline.

The Supreme Court's order specifically addresses the settlement of outstanding DA for the period spanning from April 2008 to December 2019. This ruling stands to benefit approximately 8 lakh government employees and pensioners across West Bengal, marking a significant legal victory for the workforce. The directive for a 25% payment within six weeks was part of the court's instruction to the state, with the final date for this compliance rapidly approaching. The lack of visible action or communication from the state government has heightened anxieties among the affected individuals.

In response to the perceived inaction, various leading employee organizations in the state have collectively issued a strong warning. The 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha' (United Forum for Struggle), a prominent joint forum of these organizations, has publicly declared its intention to launch a large-scale protest if the outstanding DA is not paid by the June 27 deadline. They have stated their commitment to waiting until the court-stipulated time limit, but have also announced plans to initiate a 'Nabanna Abhiyan' (march to the state secretariat) should the government disregard the Supreme Court's order.

This ongoing DA dispute has presented the West Bengal government with a multifaceted challenge, encompassing both significant economic implications and a politically sensitive landscape. While internal preparations within the government regarding the DA payment process are reportedly underway, no official announcement outlining the method or timeline for disbursement has been made public. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has maintained a stance of not commenting on matters that are currently sub-judice.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for this particular case in August 2025. However, the immediate focal point remains the June 27 deadline, which is perceived as a critical juncture in the long-running dispute between the state administration and its employees. The outcome of this date will determine the future course of action for the employee unions and could potentially trigger a widespread movement by government employees across the state if the payment is not processed as mandated.